Effects of Career Orientation on Youth Employability in Marsabit County

Abstract

The effects of internship policy on the employability of the youth have been understudied. The youths are the present and future of any nation since they have crucial implications for future economic growth, development, and stability. As such, if youth unemployment is overlooked, it has the potential to have significant and serious social repercussions. However, unemployment among the youth is rampant across the world. This study aimed at examining how the Public Service Internship Policy (PSIP) affected young people's employment. This study was guided by specific objective which was to investigate the impact of career orientation on youth employability in Marsabit County. The researcher used a descriptive research design to assess the influence of PSIP on employability. The target population of the study was 1,439 interns who benefited from the government-sponsored internship programs and were posted in various state departments, agencies, and ministries in 2021. A sufficient sample for the research was selected using random and stratified sampling methods. Using Slovin's formulas, the sample size for the study was established. A structured questionnaire was used to gather the data, which assisted to gather both qualitative and quantitative information. The data was analyzed using SPSS. Data analysis used descriptive statistics like the mean and standard deviation. The study further analyzed the relationship between the predictor and predicted variables using inferential statistics. Pearson correlation and regression model was adopted to test the significance of the study variables. The researcher followed all the ethical considerations during the process of conducting the study. The research revealed significant and positive connections between various factors and the employability of young individuals. Specifically, it found a substantial and favorable correlation between having a career orientation and youth employability (correlation coefficient, r = 0.338, p = 0.002). The study concluded that factors such as career orientation exert a positive influence on youth employability. Therefore, it is recommended that the Kenyan government collaborates with educational institutions and parents to ensure that young people receive comprehensive career guidance and counseling, make professional accreditation accessible to all, provide quality education in all educational institutions, and ensure that all learners have access to appropriate mentorship throughout their educational journey.